Device having a controllable rotary damper, and method

Abstract

A door component has a controllable rotary damper and two connector units which can be moved relative to one another. One of the two connector units can be connected to a load-bearing construction and the other one can be connected to a movable door device of a vehicle, in order to damp a movement of the door device between a closed position and an open position in a controlled manner. Two mutually engaged spindle units are arranged between the two connector units, one spindle unit being a threaded spindle and the other being a spindle nut. A first spindle unit is fastened rotatably on a coupling rod connected to one of the connector units. A magnetorheological transmission device is arranged between the coupling rod and the first spindle unit, in order to brake a rotational movement of the first spindle unit as required.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus, comprising:
 a damper device with two attachment units that are movable relative to one another, and a controllable rotary damper configured to dampen a relative movement of said two attachment units with respect to one another in controlled fashion; 
 two spindle units disposed between said two attachment units, said two spindle units being in engagement with one another, and one of said spindle units being a threaded spindle and another of said spindle units being a spindle nut; 
 said two spindle units including a first spindle unit rotatably fastened on a coupling rod connected to one of said two attachment units; and 
 a magnetorheological transmission apparatus arranged between said coupling rod and said first spindle unit in order to influence a rotational movement of said first spindle unit. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein an annular cylindrical cavity is formed radially between said coupling rod and said first spindle unit. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a cylindrical sleeve composed of a magnetically conductive material received in said first spindle unit and connected rotationally conjointly to said first spindle unit. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said cavity is filled with a magnetorheological medium. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said magnetorheological transmission apparatus comprises at least one electrical coil formed with windings wound around said coupling rod. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said magnetorheological transmission apparatus comprises a magnetic circuit having an axial portion in said coupling rod, an axial portion in said cylindrical sleeve and/or said first spindle unit, said electrical coil and, on at least one axial side of said electrical coil, at least one rotary body which is arranged in a radial gap formed between said coupling rod and said first spindle unit. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein in each case at least one rotary body is arranged on both axial sides of said electrical coil. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein a multiplicity of rotary bodies are arranged, on at least one axial side of the electrical coil, so as to be distributed over a circumference of said coupling rod. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said magnetic circuit comprises, on both axial sides of said electrical coil, rotary bodies arranged in the radial gap between said coupling rod and said threaded spindle. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said spindle units are configured to convert a linear movement of said attachment units relative to one another into a rotational movement of said spindle units with respect to one another. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein, in an event of a relative movement of said attachment units with respect to one another, a relative axial position of said spindle units with respect to one another changes. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first spindle unit is a threaded spindle and a second spindle unit is a threaded nut. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said magneto-rheological transmission apparatus is arranged radially within said first spindle unit. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said threaded spindle is rotatable relative to said spindle nut and relative to the coupling rod. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an electrical connection cable for said electrical coil led through a channel formed in said coupling rod. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said coupling rod is pivotable about a pivot axle oriented transversely with respect to said coupling rod. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first spindle unit is received on said coupling rod and axially fixed thereon. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a motor for driving said first spindle unit. 
     
     
       19. A door component, comprising:
 a controllable rotary damper and two attachment units that are movable relative to one another, wherein one of said two attachment units is connectable to a supporting structure and another of said two attachment units is connectable to a movable door in order to dampen a movement of the door between a closed position and an open position of the door in controlled fashion; 
 two spindle units arranged between said two attachment units and being in engagement with one another, one of said spindle units being a threaded spindle and another of said spindle units being a spindle nut; 
 said two spindle units including a first spindle unit rotatably fastened on a coupling rod connected to one of said attachment units; and 
 a magnetorheological transmission apparatus arranged between said coupling rod and said first spindle unit in order to influence a rotational movement of said first spindle unit.